Having fun outdoors is one of the best parts of summer. However, if bugs and other pests begin interfering with your outdoor gatherings, it can quickly turn a wonderful time into a significant nuisance. Ants, flies, mosquitoes, rodents, and other uninvited pests are irritating and dangerous since numerous pests bite and carry certain diseases. Yet, in certain cases, those “pests” are helpful and vulnerable animals, for instance, bees and bunnies – even if you don’t like them in your yard. The good news is that there are several things you can do to repel those outdoor pests. Using some of the effective tips, you can prevent outdoor pests from ruining your fun in the sun.
Trim Lawns and Bushes
One of the first things you can do to discourage unwanted pests from moving into your Roanoke rental home’s yard is to keep your lawn and bushes properly trimmed. Overgrown grass, bushes, and weeds are breeding grounds for several species of pests, from flies to rodents. By ensuring your grass and other foliage are trimmed back, you can keep insects and other pests away from your yard.
Eliminate Hiding Places
Various biting insects, including mosquitoes, are drawn to standing water, piles of lawn clippings, wet leaves, trash cans, and other parts outside your home. To keep these pests from increasing in your yard, it is a good idea to keep things clean and dry. By way of illustration, if you or your landlord haven’t cleaned the gutters or trash bins in quite a while, take the necessary action to get that finished. What is more, it’s recommended to repair any water leaks or low spots in the yard where water can pool and stagnate. Ultimately, if your home has a storage shed or woodpile, keep it clean, dry, and away from the house’s exterior walls. After cleaning your woodpile or shed, it will be less appealing to a wide variety of common outdoor pests.
Bring in Natural Deterrents
Once you’ve tidied up your outdoor space, the next thing you can do to keep outdoor pests away is to use a few natural repellants. Keeping herbs like rosemary, mint, basil, or thyme near entryways, patios, or decks can help to naturally repel pests from seating areas. Blowing fans can help keep flying insects away, and keeping food or sugary drinks covered or put away can discourage pests from trying to sneak in for a bite. To get rid of ants, think about placing some cayenne pepper around the perimeter of your gathering spots. Although you’ll need to reapply after watering, cayenne pepper is an effective natural deterrent for crawling insects.
Handling Helpful “Pests”
In other circumstances, the pests that take over our outdoor spaces are animals that are part of a healthy ecosystem. However, this does not imply that you need to invite them in, either. Swarms of bees are both beneficial for healthy plants and a hazard for people. Bunnies can help aerate your lawn, but they’ll also burrow unpleasant holes and take over if left to breed unchecked. For pests like these, it’s important to inspect your lease to discover where the responsibility for pest control resides to have professionals remove them safely and humanely.
Unwanted pests can give headaches. However, by taking the proper precautions to avoid them, you can make your outdoor time enjoyable and pest-free.
Are you hunting for a new rental home, ideally one with a beautiful yard? If that is the case, Real Property Management Colonial can support you! Check out our listings online to see if you can find the rental home you’ve been dreaming of!
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